Elon vs. CNU

Deciding between Elon University and Christopher Newport University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Elon University
Christopher Newport University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Elon 7,239
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elon #140
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elon -
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • Elon Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elon
  • CNU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • Elon $14,985
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • Elon $44,440
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elon $17,867
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elon 77%
  • CNU 64%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elon 18,105
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • Elon 12,012
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elon 66.3%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • Elon 13.4%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elon 1210
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elon 25
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elon 3.65
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elon A-
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elon Challenging
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elon Low
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • Elon 23/28
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elon Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elon 11:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elon 82%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elon $56,200
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elon 86%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elon $23,250
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elon $240
  • CNU $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elon 40%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • Elon 60%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elon Low
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • Elon No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • Elon 82%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • Elon 2%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • Elon 6%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elon 5%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Elon 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elon 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elon 2%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • Elon 2%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elon 1%
  • CNU 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elon 21%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elon 77%
  • CNU 5%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Elon Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Elon No
  • CNU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Elon Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Elon No
  • CNU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Elon No
  • CNU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elon University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Elon vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or CNU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Christopher Newport University than Elon ($23,148 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 16.9% lower than at Elon University ($12,460 vs. $14,985).
  • Elon University is 179% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $30,130 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $16,828.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 50.6% higher at Elon than at Christopher Newport University (about $15,780 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elon University than at Christopher Newport University (77% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 70.3% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($17,867 vs. $10,494).

Elon vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or CNU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CNU and Elon.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 30 points higher than at CNU (1180).
  • Incoming CNU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Elon).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Elon (3.65).
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Elon (66.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 18% at CNU.

Elon vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and CNU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
  • Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($240 vs. $258).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.